Re: The ballad of Isaac Hayes

1

**Hayes is black.

Fooled you too, huh?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:09 AM
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Only tangentially related, but somewhere I have a whole CD of soul covers of Beatles tunes. They, ummm, vary, but the best are extraordinary, better than the originals. As in Marvin Gaye's superb cover of "Yesterday" (perhaps the easiest Beatles original to improve on, but still):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PY4AIyOIJI


Posted by: PerfectlyGoddamnDelightful | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:10 AM
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That's a sweet cover, pgd.

The Bar-Kays did a great (no-vocals) version of "Hard Day's Night." Funny, but funky.


Posted by: FL | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:13 AM
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**Hayes is black.

Number of people at this blog who don't know anything about either "Shaft" or "South Park": ... one. Maybe.

On preview, Ben got there first. Sigh.


Posted by: Cyrus | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:25 AM
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5

Haven't you heard that song by Loverboy?


Posted by: Flippanter | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:28 AM
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6

Check out By the Time I Get to Phoenix.


Posted by: Napi | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:31 AM
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I see there's a version of Hayes' "Phoenix" on youtube that's around four minutes long. You want the 20-minute version from Hot Buttered Soul.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:33 AM
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Number of people at this blog who don't know anything about either "Shaft" or "South Park": ... one. Maybe.

I know (almost) nothing about South Park.


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:34 AM
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9

I think creating the directory in which an eventual 30-page paper is to dwell is adequate work for one week, don't you?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:34 AM
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10

How much do you know about logical operators, NickS?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:36 AM
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11

It's hard not to be a cultural punchline when you quit South Park in protest over an episode satirizing Tom Cruise and Scientology.

See, e.g., this quote:

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends, and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins," Mr Hayes said in a statement. "As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."


Posted by: PeaDub | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:40 AM
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9: creating directories is a delightful form of procrastination. Although less entertaining than blog commenting, it feels more virtuous because it is "work-related".

It plays the same role as organizing one's papers prior to writing did in pre-internet days.


Posted by: PerfectlyGoddamnDelightful | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:48 AM
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Number of people at this blog who don't know anything about either "Shaft" or "South Park": ... one.

[Raises hand]


Posted by: Not Prince Hamlet | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:52 AM
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14

13: Both involve Isaac Hayes, who is black.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:53 AM
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Just so you know.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:53 AM
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16

I prefer Stax and Chess to Motown. Forget Philly.
Better & freer instrumentalists & backup bands maybe, or more bluesy & less urban.

Had a black-wanna-be roomie for a while in late 60s, introduced me to cough syrup, defensive linemen, Soul on Ice and Hot Buttered Soul.


Posted by: bob mcmanus | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:55 AM
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17

14: I thought Obama was the black guy?


Posted by: heebie-geebie | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:57 AM
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14: Yeah, so I gathered. I'm not so much with the pop culture, but reading comprehension I can do.


Posted by: Not Prince Hamlet | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:58 AM
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19

Shit. The Cleaver book was 1978? So maybe it was Malcolm X. I don't remember. Some black revolutionary stuff.


Posted by: bob mcmanus | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:58 AM
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20

17: Holy shit, there's two of them?


Posted by: Not Prince Hamlet | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:58 AM
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17: There's apparently more than one.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:59 AM
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20: Maybe they're together.


Posted by: heebie-geebie | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 11:59 AM
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22: Better hide the wimmens, then.


Posted by: Not Prince Hamlet | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:00 PM
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22: Black and gay? I don't know if America's ready for that.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:00 PM
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I was right the first time. Googling too fast.


Posted by: bob mcmanus | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:00 PM
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Soul on Ice and Hot Buttered Soul.

Should be kept separate. Whether "soul" s/b "rum" or not.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:02 PM
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Everyone should see the Isaac Hayes pandemonium at the end of Wattstax. (And also Standing in the Shadows of Motown if you want to talk backup bands, bob.)


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:03 PM
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28

I prefer Stax and Chess to Motown. Forget Philly.

As a rule, I greatly prefer southern soul.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:04 PM
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29

Black and gay?

AND MUSLIM!


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:04 PM
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30

Crap. Wattstax.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:05 PM
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31

29: Also the Antichrist.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:05 PM
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The fraudulent link to "unfogged.com/archives/wattstax" filled me with hope. That was a great movie. The "Funky Chicken" and "Lying on the Truth" performances especially.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:06 PM
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33

I suppose that goes without saying.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:06 PM
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34

Probably also has bad breath.


Posted by: heebie-geebie | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:06 PM
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35

The "Funky Chicken" and "Lying on the Truth" performances especially.

If I may be forgiven for citing myself, scroll down to June 14.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:08 PM
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When the antichrist comes, he will take a form trusted and beloved by all so he can gain power, not a black gay muslim, for chrissakes.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:08 PM
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37

How much do you know about logical operators, NickS?

Enough to read the "OR" as a logical OR, but without enough reading comprehension to notice the "either" preceding it.


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:12 PM
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Number of people at this blog who don't know anything about either "Shaft" or "South Park": ... one. Maybe.

Damn you w-lfs-n.

The more I think about this, the "don't know anything" construction is confusing. If it said "know nothing about Shaft or South Park" that would obviously be the same as "know nothing about Shaft or know nothing about South Park" which would include me.

But if the don't is equivilent to NOT then it's "NOT (know anything about Shaft OR South Park)" which would be equivilent to "know nothing about Shaft AND South Park"


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:17 PM
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39

Or perhaps my irritation is the manifestation of confused ideals of aesthetic purity and racism.

Probably. Because South Park was even funnier for the fact that Chef was voiced by Isaac Hayes. Being a respected singer and composer makes it even better when you're essentially willing to make fun of yourself and the relaxed life of a post-peak soul icon.

If Chef were just voiced by some dude, who would care?


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:20 PM
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40

holy shit, kraab, the picture in the post you linked to in 35 is amazing. That outfit should have its own webpage.


Posted by: rob helpy-chalk | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:29 PM
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Number of people at this blog whose knowledge of "Shaft" and "South Park" is the null set: ... one. Maybe.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:33 PM
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42

That outfit should have its own webpage.

I know! Found a photo with the cape (though the color's off).


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:41 PM
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introduced me to cough syrup, defensive linemen, Soul on Ice and Hot Buttered Soul

That must've been some party.

Or perhaps my irritation is the manifestation of confused ideals of aesthetic purity

I agree with #39. I like Issac Hayes the soul singer, Issac Hayes the blaxploitation icon, and Issac Hayes the cartoon Chef for mostly different, but occasionally intersecting, reasons.


Posted by: Populuxe | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 12:53 PM
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And also Standing in the Shadows of Motown if you want to talk backup bands, bob.

I love the part in that movie when James Jamerson's son plays a bassline the 'normal' way, and then the way his dad would have played it.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:02 PM
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16: I treasure the Stax-Volt singles collection I acquired several years ago. So many good artists I'd never heard of.


Posted by: Martin Wisse | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:08 PM
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My former house mate Thomas had a copy of the stax volt box set. He had a lot of kick ass music, but that was the one I coveted most.


Posted by: rob helpy-chalk | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:23 PM
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Chef totally is funnier for being voiced by Isaac Hayes, but what bugs me is that for some people the funny is "haha, that guy with all the songs about getting it on!" rather than "haha, that really great musician who's kind of poking fun at his persona, but who was really great!" See also: how a lot of black music gets ridiculed while its blander descendants thrive.


Posted by: FL | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:33 PM
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48

that was the one I coveted most

Usenet is your friend, rob.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:39 PM
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49

See also: how a lot of black music gets ridiculed while its blander descendants thrive.

Is this the thread where we complain about Pat Boone's cover of Tutti Frutti?


Posted by: rob helpy-chalk | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:40 PM
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50

No, Pat Boone* is awesome. His metal album transcends cheap irony to become vintage artisanal irony.

*Boone is white.


Posted by: FL | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:46 PM
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51

7 -- Of course.

OT: Why is there so much traffic on the freeway into Chicago from the airport in the middle of a Tuesday?


Posted by: Napi | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:47 PM
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52

Everyone's commenting on blogs instead of driving?


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:50 PM
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47: To most people, Marvin Gaye is that guy with that song about getting it on, what's it called again?

To most people, Blur is that band with the "Woo hoo" song.

To most people, Kanye West is an MC instead of a producer.

To most people, Sir Mix-a-Lot is... Ok, they're totally right on that one.


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:56 PM
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54

I only comment while driving on the freeway when I can maintain a reasonable speed.


Posted by: Napi | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:58 PM
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Why is there so much traffic on the freeway into Chicago from the airport in the middle of a Tuesday?

Those cars are all occupied by Daley's distant cousins. They drive up and down I-290 and 90/94 all day for $20 an hour as "encouragement" for everyone else to take the Blue line next time.


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 1:59 PM
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52: This is the future, Becks. You can do both.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 2:00 PM
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She can comment on blogs as both Becks AND Cala, while driving!


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 2:04 PM
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58

exactly!


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 2:06 PM
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I only comment while driving on the freeway when I can maintain a reasonable speed.

For some reason, I am comforted that Napi isnt commenting in the oral sex thread while driving.


Posted by: Will | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 2:07 PM
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It's Wednesday, isn't it.

Commenting while driving in town is more fun. One hand on the stick, the other with BB, steering with the left elbow.


Posted by: Napi | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 2:10 PM
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61

There's apparently more than one.
+
Maybe they're together

Lurkers/occasional commenters Syphax and Magistra have identical twin sons who go to kindergarten with my daughter in our lilly-white suburb. The school has a handful of African-American children who commute out from the inner city under a special program to make a token effort (albeit in good faith) at integration.

One of the sons of Syphax and Magistra is in a class with two Black boys, call them X and Y. One evening shortly after school started he asked his mother, "Are X and Y twins?"


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 8:47 PM
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Objet trouvé!! Here, for the first time on youtube, the band that played at my wedding reception!

I'll say in advance that I swear to god I'm not joking about this.


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 01-16-08 9:34 PM
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As well as his musical talents, Hayes is apparently also a pretty good photographer. I read an interview a while back with some photographer who'd shot him for a British newspaper who was saying that he was surprised when he met Hayes to find out how knowledgeable he was about the history and technique of photography. Apparently he takes a bunch of cameras around with him on tour, so he can shoot during his 'off time'.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 01-17-08 1:20 AM
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64

What, no love for Isaac Hayes as "Gabby Fitch" on "Rockford Files"? ROCKFISH!


Posted by: JDC | Link to this comment | 01-17-08 2:46 AM
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No love for the band linked in 62? Not even from Robust McManlyPants?

To tell the full story, we had two wedding receptions several thousand miles apart, one for the posh guests (principally Fleur's friends and relatives) and one for the white trash guests* (i.e. my friends and relatives). Which reception this band played at is left as an exercise for the reader.

*not really, but comparatively speaking...


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 01-17-08 8:55 AM
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